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To create the perfect Crunchy Toasted Quinoa Salad, you'll want to gather the following ingredients:

Crunchy Toasted Quinoa Salad

Discover the vibrant and satisfying Crunchy Toasted Quinoa Salad, a perfect blend of nutritious ingredients that delight your taste buds. This recipe combines the nutty flavor of toasted quinoa with colorful veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and bell peppers, making it ideal for any occasion. It's a healthy, filling option for meal prep or gatherings, ensuring every bite is both delicious and nutritious. Elevate your salad game with this fresh and easy recipe!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup quinoa, thoroughly rinsed

2 cups vegetable broth (or water)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cucumber, diced into small pieces

1 bell pepper (any color), diced

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

1 medium carrot, grated

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 cup toasted almonds, roughly chopped

1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

Juice of 1 lemon

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Toast the Quinoa: In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the rinsed quinoa and toast for about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. You'll know it's ready when it turns slightly golden and begins to give off a nutty aroma.

    Cook the Quinoa: Carefully add the vegetable broth (or water) to the toasted quinoa. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan. Allow it to simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the quinoa is cooked and all the liquid is absorbed. Once finished, fluff the quinoa with a fork and set it aside to cool.

      Prepare the Vegetables: While the quinoa is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes in half, dice the cucumber and bell pepper into small pieces, finely chop the red onion, and grate the carrot. Combine all these prepared vegetables in a large mixing bowl.

        Combine the Salad: After the quinoa has cooled, add it to the bowl filled with fresh vegetables. Gently toss everything together to ensure an even distribution of ingredients.

          Add Flavor: Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the salad, then season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Incorporate the chopped parsley and toasted almonds, folding everything in gently until well combined.

            Incorporate Optional Feta: If desired, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the top of the salad just before serving. This will add a delightful creaminess to the dish.

              Serve and Enjoy: This salad can be served immediately for a fresh, vibrant dish, or you can refrigerate it for an hour to allow the flavors to deepen and meld together. It serves beautifully as a light lunch or as a tasty, colorful side dish for any meal!

                Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 15 minutes | 35 minutes | 4 servings